Journal of International Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Aquasomes are emerging as a promising nanostructured platform for targeted drug delivery and controlled release, offering significant advantages over conventional delivery systems. Characterized by a unique core-shell architecture, aquasomes consist of a solid inorganic core, typically ceramic or metallic, enveloped by a biocompatible carbohydrate coating. This design stabilizes sensitive therapeutic agents such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids, protecting them from enzymatic degradation and enhancing their bioavailability. The carbohydrate shell also facilitates biocompatibility and enables functionalization for active targeting, improving specificity and reducing systemic toxicity.

Recent advances have expanded the applications of aquasomes across various biomedical fields, including anticancer and antimicrobial drug delivery, vaccine development, enzyme immobilization, biosensing, and theranostics. Their ability to respond to physiological stimuli such as pH and temperature allows for precise control over drug release kinetics, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. Integration with other nanotechnologies, such as liposomes and dendrimers, has further broadened their multifunctionality and potential for combination therapies.

Despite these advantages, challenges remain in scaling up production, ensuring reproducibility, and addressing safety and regulatory concerns. Future research focusing on biodegradable materials, personalized medicine, and artificial intelligence-driven design optimization is expected to overcome these barriers and accelerate clinical translation.

This review provides a comprehensive overview of aquasome structure, synthesis, mechanisms of controlled release, biomedical applications, and recent innovations, highlighting their potential to revolutionize nanomedicine and personalized therapy.